scholarly journals Information Literacy Education in the South African Classroom: Reflections from Teachers’ Journals in the Western Cape Province

Libri ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Zinn ◽  
Christine Stilwell ◽  
Ruth Hoskins
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Literacy Education ◽  
School Librarian ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Official Position ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Purposive Sample

AbstractThis qualitative study reports on teachers in the Western Cape as they attempt to embed information literacy in their classrooms. It explores how teachers come to understand information literacy and the extent to which they change their beliefs about guiding research projects in a more concerted way. The research questions were: (1) how do teachers understand information literacy education? (2) how do teachers make their information literacy explicit in the classroom? and (3) at what level are teachers’ web knowledge and skills? The teachers, who were part of an information literacy education course, formed a purposive sample. The data for this study emanated from solicited, reflective journals which participants kept over a period of eight to 10 weeks. Information seeking and use theory and an inquiry-based approach to learning frame this research. Motivation for the study is rooted in a curriculum which embodies information literacy characteristics. Traditionally, information literacy has been the domain of the school librarian. Only 16.82 % of South African schools have a stocked library. With so few school libraries and no official position in schools for a qualified school librarian, the onus for teaching information literacy thus rests on the teacher. This article provides the context for South African education and a review of the information literacy literature with an emphasis on South Africa and teachers’ information literacy. The results show that, despite many obstacles in these teachers’ paths, they express a fairly sound understanding of information literacy education by the end of the journaling exercise. However, fewer teachers can competently mediate information literacy in the classroom. One of the major barriers to information literacy is the teachers’ slow adoption of the World Wide Web. Recommendations for further study include examining teacher education programmes for their inclusion of information literacy education; for awareness of plagiarism and the ethics of information use in the school environment; and the effect of information and communication technology on learners’ information literacy.

scholarly journals Evidence from Students’ Information Seeking Diaries Underscores the Importance of Including Librarians in Undergraduate Education

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Maria Melssen
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Literacy Education ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Content Areas ◽  
Social Question ◽  
Question And Answer ◽  
Selection Of

Objective – To determine what information resources undergraduate students choose to complete assignments for their courses, why they choose those resources, the process of selecting those resources and the factors that contributed to selecting the resources, and their perceptions of those resources. Design – Semi-structured information seeking diary. Setting – Private university in Seoul, Korea. Subjects – 233 undergraduate students from all majors and all years. Methods – Students selected one assignment from their elective course and recorded the following in a diary: what the assignment was, the topic they needed to research to complete the assignment, resources used, the factors that contributed to choosing the resources, and perceptions of those resources. Main Results – Data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The factors that affected the students’ resource selection were analyzed qualitatively using an open coding method created by the researchers. The factors were not predetermined by the researchers, but were selected based on the factors identified by the students. Online resources (67.1%) were the most frequently selected resources by the students compared to human resources (11.5%), print materials (11.5%), and mass media (3%). Students used an average of 5.28 resources to complete one assignment. Factors that affected the students’ selection of resources were the type of information provided by the resource, the features of the resource, the search strategy used when searching in the resource, and the students’ interaction with other people when selecting and using the resource. More than one factor typically contributed to the students’ selection of the resource. The students’ perceptions of the resources they selected were analyzed quantitatively: perceptions were analyzed in six content areas using a five point scale. Correlations and similarities across the six content areas were also analyzed. Perceptions of resources were broken down into six categories and the resources were rated on a five point scale. Librarians (4.50) were the most useful resource and lecture notes (5.0) were the most credible. Family (3.29) was the least useful, and social question and answer services, such as Yahoo! Answers, (2.62) were the least credible. Family was the most accessible and familiar resource (4.90 and 4.95 respectively). Experts (2.25) were least accessible and librarians (1.50) were the least familiar. Students were most satisfied with Google Scholar (4.33) and were most likely to use an online database (4.52) again. They were least satisfied with social question and answer services (3.05) and least likely to use a report sharing site (2.93) again. The usefulness and credibility of the resource contributed most to the undergraduates’ satisfaction with the resource, while accessibility and usefulness were the major contributing factors to users intended continued use of a resource. Conclusion – There are multiple reasons that support further information literacy education. Information literacy courses would encourage and teach students how to effectively use resources that they found credible and reliable, but considered inaccessible and unfamiliar. Information literacy education would also help educate students on how to best formulate their search strategies and how to select the best resource to use based on that strategy. Students also highlighted the importance of human interaction in resource selection and utilization. This is an opportunity for librarians and professors to play a more active role in assisting students in selecting and using the best resources to complete course assignments. Due to the limitations of this study, further research is needed to investigate the factors affecting the exclusion of resources, not only the inclusion. Future study designs should address the characteristics of the study participants themselves, such as the age and gender. The impact of the research topic and subject on resource selection, as well as what resources are selected for non-academic information needs, should also be investigated.

scholarly journals An Evolving Model of Knowledge Management in Education and the South African Reality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Osborn ◽  
Ethel Thomas ◽  
Dorothea Hartnack
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Primary School ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
School Librarian ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Evolving Model

Concepts of Knowledge Management struck three educators in Gauteng, South Africa, and inspired them to devise a Knowledge Management model for education and schools. The model is focused on how Knowledge Management is sandwiched between the country’s educational policies and the bedrock of literacy and reading. It encompasses the Constitution, common value systems, common leadership/management skills and professional values, inherited language skills and cultural knowledge and lifestyles, general knowledge, information/literacy/digital/IT skills, Intellectual Capital and collaboration between educational entities, school librarians and colleagues, communities and stakeholders. The model highlights the many challenges existing in South African education and further inspired the three educators to consider their own achievements as School Librarians – one at a Public/Government High School and the other at a Public/Government Primary School. The High School Librarian has used IT to promote reading to great effect, while the Primary School Librarian has made important strides in helping her subject/learning area colleagues to teach Information Literacy.

scholarly journals Peran Pustakawan Dalam Menyiapkan Generasi Emas: Implementasi Literasi Informasi di SD Muhammadiyah Sapen Yogyakarta

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Anna Nurhayati
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Student Work ◽  
Task Definition ◽  
Library Research ◽  
Planning Methods ◽  
Natural Interactions ◽  
Depth Interviews

Introduction. The golden generation is a generation that is able to compete globally with comprehensive intelligence, including productive, innovative, peaceful in social interactions, healthy and healthy in natural interactions, and superior civilization.Data Collection Method. This type of research is qualitative. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and direct observation. The validity of the data was tested through data triangulation.Analysis Data. The data is discussed with the big6 model of information literacy theory. Data analysis using library research method or literature study.Results and Discussion. Information literacy is the ability to recognize information needs and when information is needed, identify and locate information, evaluate information critically. Information literacy is one way to form a golden generation in the school environment. The big6 literacy model has 6 effective steps that can be used to solve problems, namely; task definition; information seeking strategies; location and access; use the information; synthesis; and evaluation.Conclusions. Implementation of this model requires planning methods and instructor competence. Implementation of information literacy at SD Muhammadiyah Sapen Yogyakarta in the form of library research that produces student work in the form of mini books

ROLE OF LIBRARIANS IN TEACHING INFORMATION LITERACY IN ZIMBABWEAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinashe Mugwisi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
Information Skills ◽  
The University

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) and the Internet have to a large extent influenced the way information is made available, published and accessed. More information is being produced too frequently and information users now require certain skills to sift through this multitude in order to identify what is appropriate for their purposes. Computer and information skills have become a necessity for all academic programmes. As libraries subscribe to databases and other peer-reviewed content (print and electronic), it is important that users are also made aware of such sources and their importance. The purpose of this study was to examine the teaching of information literacy (IL) in universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and the role played by librarians in creating information literate graduates. This was done by examining whether such IL programmes were prioritised, their content and how frequently they were reviewed. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 12 university libraries in Zimbabwe and 21 in South Africa. A total of 25 questionnaires were returned. The findings revealed that IL was being taught in universities library and non-library staff, was compulsory and contributed to the term mark in some institutions. The study also revealed that 44 per cent of the total respondents indicated that the libraries were collaborating with departments and faculty in implementing IL programmes in universities. The study recommends that IL should be an integral part of the university programmes in order to promote the use of databases and to guide students on ethical issues of information use.

ADOLESCENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF STRESSORS CONTRIBUTING TO SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-213
Author(s):  
Henriëtte Van den Berg ◽  
Hester Tancred ◽  
Dap Louw
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
The Impact

South African adolescents show increased levels of suicidal behaviour. This article explores the perceptions of adolescents at risk of suicide regarding the psychosocial stressors they believe contribute to suicidal behaviour among South African adolescents. This study was conducted on 214 adolescents from the Western Cape Province with a high suicide risk. The group was selected on the basis of their high scores on the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire. A qualitative content analysis was performed with their responses on a question about the reasons for adolescent suicide. The analysis highlighted risk factors relating to substance abuse, negative emotional experiences, lack of self-esteem, problem-solving ability and hope for the future; negative family environment and conflict in family relationships; peer group and romantic relationships; stressful life events; and socioeconomic factors. Guided by the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory suggestions were made for adolescent resource development to counter-act the impact of the various stressors they experience.

Exploring Internet and Media-mediated Health Information within the Context of Personal Health Management

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelagh K. Genuis
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Health Management ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Personal Health ◽  
Étude Qualitative ◽  
Informal Information ◽  
Etude Qualitative

This qualitative paper explores how health information mediated by the internet and media is used and made valuable within the life of consumers managing non-crisis health challenges, and how informal information seeking and gathering influences self-positioning within patient-clinician relationships. Findings have implications for health information literacy and collaborative, patient-centred care.Cette étude qualitative explore comment l’information sur la santé relayée par Internet et les médias est utilisée et rendue utile dans le contexte de consommateurs gérant des problèmes médicaux non urgents, et comment la recherche et la collecte d’information informelles influencent l’auto-positionnement dans la relation patient clinicien. Les résultats ont des applications dans la maîtrise de l’information médicale et les soins collaboratifs centrés sur le patient.

KOMPETENSI MANAJERIAL KEPALA SMP ISLAM AL AZHAR 15 CILACAP

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-169
Author(s):  
Wardjono
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
School Environment ◽  
School Facilities ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Managerial Competencies ◽  
Head Of School ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Education Personnel

The problem in this research is the head of the school can manage all the components or resources that exist in the school environment with good so thatstudent achievement continues to rise in academic and non academic. The purpose of this study is: (1) Describe and analyze so that the head of school in implementing managerial competencies in SMP Islam Al Azhar 15 Cilacap. (2) Describe and analyze the response of the teachers and education personnel  of the competence of the managerial head of school in SMP Islam Al Azhar 15 Cilacap. (3) Describe and analyze the contraints of the head of school in implementing mangerial competencies in SMP Islam Al Azhar 15 Cilacap. The results of this study are: (1) The head of the SMP Islam Al Azhar 15 Cilacap has been making efforts to utilize existing resources in the school environment both from human resources, school facilities and infrastructure, financial resources of the school, and the advancement of technology in the field of information and communication, which includes 16 type of competence; (2) support of personal is realized by setting up the school adminstration well in order to improve the quality of education, as for the support of educators is realized with:  create lesson plans, implement learning process and assesment and evaluation; The head of SMP Islam Al Azhar 15 Cilacap get the constrains in implementing  managerial competencies, namely limitations in manging the school’s finances.

The impact of climate temperature on counts, recovery, and death rates due to SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neven Chetty ◽  
Bamise Adeleye ◽  
Abiola Olawale Ilori
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Warm Climate ◽  
The South ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Online Resource ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The impact of climate temperature on the counts (number of positive COVID-19 cases reported), recovery, and death rates of COVID-19 cases in South Africa's nine provinces was investigated. The data for confirmed cases of COVID-19 were collected for March 25 and June 30, 2020 (14 weeks) from South Africa's Government COVID-19 online resource, while the daily provincial climate temperatures were collected from the website of the South African Weather Service. Our result indicates that a higher or lower climate temperature does not prevent or delay the spread and death rates but shows significant positive impacts on the recovery rates of COVID-19 patients. Thus, it indicates that the climate temperature is unlikely to impose a strict limit on the spread of COVID-19. There is no correlation between the cases and death rates, an indicator that no particular temperature range is closely associated with a faster or slower death rate of COVID-19 patients. As evidence from our study, a warm climate temperature can only increase the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients, ultimately impacting the death and active case rates and freeing up resources quicker to enable health facilities to deal with those patients' climbing rates who need treatment. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the impact of climate temperature variation on the counts, recovery, and death rates of COVID-19 cases in all South Africa's provinces. The findings were compared with those of countries with comparable climate temperature values. METHODS The data for confirmed cases of COVID-19 were collected for March 25 and June 30 (14 weeks) for South African provinces, including daily counts, death, and recovery rates. The dates were grouped into two, wherein weeks 1-5 represent the periods of total lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. Weeks 6-14 are periods where the lockdown was eased to various levels 4 and 3. The daily information of COVID-19 count, death, and recovery was obtained from South Africa's Government COVID-19 online resource (https://sacoronavirus.co.za). Daily provincial climate temperatures were collected from the website of the South African Weather Service (https://www.weathersa.co.za). The provinces of South Africa are Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo, Northwest, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Gauteng. Weekly consideration was given to the daily climate temperature (average minimum and maximum). The recorded values were considered, respectively, to be in the ratio of death-to-count (D/C) and recovery-to-count (R/C). Descriptive statistics were performed for all the data collected for this study. The analyses were performed using the Person’s bivariate correlation to analyze the association between climate temperature, death-to-count, and recovery-to-count ratios of COVID-19. RESULTS The results showed that higher climate temperatures aren't essential to avoid the COVID-19 from being spread. The present results conform to the reports that suggested that COVID-19 is unlike the seasonal flu, which does dissipate as the climate temperature rises [17]. Accordingly, the ratio of counts and death-to-count cannot be concluded to be influenced by variations in the climate temperatures within the study areas. CONCLUSIONS The study investigates the impact of climate temperature on the counts, recovery, and death rates of COVID-19 cases in all South Africa's provinces. The findings were compared with those of countries with comparable climate temperatures as South Africa. Our result indicates that a higher or lower climate temperature does not prevent or delay the spread and death rates but shows significant positive impacts on the recovery rates of COVID-19 patients. Warm climate temperatures seem not to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 as the count rate was substantial at every climate temperatures. Thus, it indicates that the climate temperature is unlikely to impose a strict limit on the spread of COVID-19. There is no correlation between the cases and death rates, an indicator that there is no particular temperature range of the climatic conditions closely associated with a faster or slower death rate of COVID-19 patients. However, other shortcomings in this study's process should not be ignored. Some other factors may have contributed to recovery rates, such as the South African government's timely intervention to announce a national lockout at the early stage of the outbreak, the availability of intensive medical care, and social distancing effects. Nevertheless, this study shows that a warm climate temperature can only help COVID-19 patients recover more quickly, thereby having huge impacts on the death and active case rates.

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